Semi vs. Revolver for Carry

[bigmyk2k]

Starting with a lot of false premises here.

Most semi autos are DA/SA, DAO or "Safe Action" (striker fired double action) not single action only. Also you don't pocket carry any gun (auto or revolver) without a pocket holster (if nothing else to protect the trigger). And this notion that revolvers are significantly more reliable than autos is just false (for one thing, when something goes wrong with a wheel gun it's usually out of commission until a gunsmith tears into it ... at least failures with an auto can often be corrected with a quick "Tap-Rack-Roll").

So yes, a compact 1911 pocket carried without a holster then you'd be right, but most concealable autos (especially pocket sized) aren't going to have any of the problems you're talking about.

At any rate, a small revolver is NOT a good gun for novices. Other than stuffing them into someone's belly and pulling the trigger five times, you're not going to shoot it well unless you practice a lot (same goes with any small gun, but tiny DA revolvers have a steeper learning curve). I cringe every time I see someone recommending a J-Frame sized wheel gun to an inexperienced woman.

The main reason to pack a wheel gun is because either you're better at shooting it than an auto or you're packing a magnum or big bore because you want the extra power. Otherwise, there are just too many quality CCW automatics designed for use by novices to saddle "the little lady" with a J Frame just because it says "Lady Smith" on the frame.

I appreciate the concern. I will admit that my knowledge of semis isn't real strong outside of a 1911. However, the basis of this post was a discussion with a long time LEO (part of which as a SWAT sniper) and his Sheriff son.

I fully agree about safety, and the necessity of carrying in a pocket holster, though for her, it will more likely be in a purse.

Regarding the DA vs SA comment, I am referring to the action of pulling the trigger on an "unracked" pistol, and determining whether the hammer is cocked and released. Many semis which are technically DAs will only click on the first pull. This is the essence of DAO, as I understand it.

(Actually, to quote wikipedia, "Glock, Springfield XD and XDm, and Kahr semi-automatic pistols are not DA (or DAO) pistols because the striker is "cocked" to an intermediate position by the operation of the slide and they cannot be re-activated by pulling the trigger a second time." I would add a lot of other models to that list too, such as the lauded LCP, if I recall correctly.)

I would highly agree with the "Whatever she's comfortable with" sentiment, but my "Little Lady" an ex-ROTC chick, who was cadet of the year, and the only girl to complete the Ranger challenge while she was in, and didn't go in only because her hearing loss was discovered (they wanted her so much that they let her take the test 4 times). In fact, on an AR, she can out shoot me 7 days a week (I'm anonymous, so I can admit that). So, comfort, trigger control and respect for the weapon aren't an issue.

Mostly, this thread was to get more data and opinion for her. Though, ultimately, it is most likely to come down to trying a number of options.

[Circuits]

Regarding the DA vs SA comment, I am referring to the action of pulling the trigger on an "unracked" pistol, and determining whether the hammer is cocked and released. Many semis which are technically DAs will only click on the first pull. This is the essence of DAO, as I understand it.

You misunderstand, or would for some reason be carrying a DA or DAO unchambered for that to happen. Chambered DA or DAO will fire on the first pull, and DA will be single-action trigger after that first shot.

(Actually, to quote wikipedia, "Glock, Springfield XD and XDm, and Kahr semi-automatic pistols are not DA (or DAO) pistols because the striker is "cocked" to an intermediate position by the operation of the slide and they cannot be re-activated by pulling the trigger a second time." I would add a lot of other models to that list too, such as the lauded LCP, if I recall correctly.)

Glock is not SA - the act of pressing the trigger cocks the striker, which is at rest and loose when the trigger is forward (shake one sometime and you can hear the firing pin move a little). They do lack full DA "second strike" capability, since they require slide movement to reset the disconnector after a trigger press, though.